Elbow Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Clare County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Clare County, Elbow Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-10-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 11 ft. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Elbow Lake
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Fishing Elbow Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 12 lakes in Clare County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Elbow Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Clare County
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Gladwin County · Clarity: 4 ft
Gladwin County · Clarity: 10 ft
Roscommon County · Clarity: 5 ft
Crawford County · Clarity: 6.5 ft
Isabella County · Clarity: 10 ft
Oscoda County · Clarity: 14.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-10-11
Monitoring stations: 1